Back to the normal grind.

[nolawitch58]

Now I have to fool with that blockage that's been driving me nuts in Chapter 4. I'm getting to the point where I'm going to write any awful crap that advances the story through the scenes and unleash it on my writers' group for them to barf over.

Last week was so nice. I came home Monday the 3rd to the smell of red beans cooking in the crock pot. I ran around doing all the last-minute cleaning and tidying. hmc_lavadogs had pitched in and done quite a bit to help out while I was at work during the day. When saminz got to the door, I was so happy to see her.

A lot of her trip revolved around food. She got traditional red beans and rice that Monday evening. We drank some scotch and talked to exhaustion. The next day was Independence Day so we had a cookout. Hamburgers hot from the grill and potato salad cool from the fridge. That was after we drove around Lakeview, Gentilly, the edge of the Ninth Ward, the French Quarter and then back to the house. The weather was decent despite raining on us a little as the hamburgers cooked. The temperatures weren't horrifically hot as they usually are in July. We all piled into saminz' rented SUV and went to the Quarter to watch the fireworks display. Easy peasy parking getting in. Leaving took a while since traffic clogged the streets afterwards. Her driving was admirable considering it was nighttime, there were buttloads of twerps trying to leave at the same time and she only had our navigation to rely on.

Wednesday, we went to the Aquarium of the Americas because doing the zoo was going to be too hot. Cool fish tanks and exhibits. They did a good job replenishing the fish since all of them had died as a result of the hurricane. The exhibits were rearranged a little bit since the last time I went. The seahorses were sponsored by the Fairgrounds Racetrack and had their own area. The penguins were cute as hell, but nothing is as cute as those damned otters. The bastards are HUGE! They seem bigger than the last time I saw them which must have been around the time they arrived.

Predictably since we spent the day around surf, we had turf for dinner. We had gone across the river to my office so I could do a few things. I brought her back across the Huey P. Long Bridge. Lots of fun that bridge. Then we went to Whole Foods to pick up the fixings for supper. I had already gotten everything except two ingredients for the planned meal. The last two elements were buffalo steaks and shallots. We had buffalo steak diane for dinner. Man, that was pretty good if it doesn't sound too much like I'm bragging on my culinary talents. I credit my ability to Brad's exemplary teaching skills when we were evacuated in Alexandria.

Thursday we didn't do much except run an errand for work. saminz had a headache. It may have been from the wine we'd had with dinner. It wasn't the greatest wine in the world. She felt better by suppertime so she, Pete and I went to Ralph and Kakoos in the Quarter for dinner. Alligator appetizers and soft shelled crab. Mmmm. Seafood is what makes living here so great. We strolled around for a while afterwards. It sucks that Jax is closed after six since I had to take a leak. We ended up at Cafe du Monde having coffee in order to have a legitimate bathroom facility. Since the Moonwalk is right there, we went to look at the river for a while and then headed back to the house.

Friday morning, she packed to leave. We spent so much time talking the whole time she was here. The house felt strangely quiet after she left. I didn't do jack shit all weekend because I was kinda bummed out that she was gone. And now I'm back to the rat race.

Comments

Huey P. Long

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

I love that bridge. Next time, I drive.

Glad ya'll had a good time.

[ratkrycek.livejournal.com]

Thanks again for hanging out on Sunday. I wanted to call you before I left, but it just never happened; things were kinda busy for me, and I was doing a LOT of thinking by the end of the week.

I need to get back down to NOLA, that's about all I know right now.

P'raps I could call you some night this week, just to chat?

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Understood. Youse guys were hella busy. Thanks so much for coming down and doing that work. It may not have seemed like a lot to you, but it sure meant a lot to those of us here who aren't idiots. Yeah, give a call. I'll be out at the supermarket for a while this evening. Other than that, I'm trying to get Chapter 4 finished and it's not coming out easily.

[ozanbaba.livejournal.com]

*hugs without a reason*
*runs away very slow*

Hey - thanks a lot for that detailed update!

[saminz.livejournal.com]

I *will* get more online time, now, since Beth will be working all days except the weekend and the college is way generous to a foreigner ;-). But you have almost said it all here. That buffalo steak with Sauce Diane was indeed completely AWESOME!! So was the Alligator. AND the potato Salad. And the Hamburgers! And the talking...! Sorry to have worn you guys out ;-)!
And thanks for the compliments on my driving - though I *can* imagine what you would have yelled when driving behind me, you know :-P?

Re: OT Childfree Intro.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Excellent! I was sorta pondering where I'd put all my resources when I got them together and where I'd be contacting those in need. If you'd like to email me, I'm at gmail with the same nick as here. We can iron out details there. Thanks.

I'm glad I could be of some small assistance.